Dee’s expression turns sympathetic, and I turn away before the air around us has a chance to turn too heavy.
“Keep me updated,” she calls after me, and I throw a wave over my shoulder in acknowledgment. When I step out of the building and into a wall of humid summer air, my gaze automatically darts to the entrance of the supermarket Cole disappeared into. And not for the first time, I wonder if I’ll ever get back to a point where I can simply have fun with a guy without waiting for the other shoe to drop.
nine
Cole
Over the next two weeks, I settle into a comfortable routine.
I get up at the butt crack of dawn and go for my usual five-mile run to get the blood pumping. Once I get back, I shower, scarf down a simple breakfast, and begin my hunt for Charlie to find out which task she’s chosen to tackle around the resort that day. When I locate her, we begin our little game where she pretends my mere presence annoys her and grumbles about not needing my supervision, while I ignore her bad attitude and stay close anyway.
I’ve learned that Charlie doesn’t eat breakfast until mid-morning, and Dee wasn’t kidding when she said the woman has a mean streak when she’s running on empty. I’d like to say I stick around because I’m a nice guy and want to make sure I’m available shouldshe need a helping hand. But she and I both know watching her swallow her pride when she eventually hits a dead end and doesn’t know how to proceed has become the highlight of my day.
Sad, but true.
She’s currently attaching new siding to one of the smaller cabins while I sit on the screened-in porch and enjoy my morning coffee. I can see her frustration grow when the nail gun she’s using jams and refuses to cooperate. I try not to gloat when she blows out an agitated breath and gives me a pointed look through the netting. Bringing my brand-new Moose Harbor travel mug to my lips, I take a leisurely sip and arch a single brow. Then I wait.
“Would you come out here and have a look at this stupid thing already? If you’re going to stick to my ass like an unwanted boil, you may as well make yourself useful.”
I recoil at the nauseating image she’s planted in my head and begrudgingly get to my feet. Plucking the troublesome tool from her outstretched hand, it only takes a few minor adjustments before I hold it out to her again. Charlie rolls her eyes like I did something to offend her, but doesn’t reach for it, choosing to hand me a piece of paneling instead. Her way of saying,I’m done being stubborn and will graciously accept your help.
We work in comfortable silence for a while, and I find myself enjoying our dynamics. I like that she doesn’t feel the need to fillthe air with mindless chatter. She stays focused on what needs doing, and I’ve come to appreciate the distraction. Helping Charlie fix this place up keeps my days and mind busy, which in turn keeps me from spiraling. And Tink may act like I irritate her, but I feel the relief rolling off her whenever I take the lead and give her instructions she can follow. She’s a hard worker. Determined to turn this flailing business into something she can be proud of, and I admire her tenacity.
It’s not easy starting over, let alone doing it in a remote place such as this, with little to no help, which brings me back to the one question that’s been nagging at me since she took me out for breakfast. What made her uproot her whole life and move to a town like Moose Harbor, of all places? I don’t believe for a second that a simple breakup would’ve caused her to take such drastic measures.
“How old are you?” I blurt, and her mouth slackens with disbelief.
“You know, it’s considered rude to ask a lady’s age.”
I scoff, pushing the tip of the nail gun against the wall, waiting for the resounding pop before I reply. “You should know by now that I don’t give a shit about etiquette. Besides, you may be many things, sweetheart. But a lady, you are not.”
“How dare you?! Are you saying I don’t have manners?”
“I’m saying I’ve seen you shotgun a beer on Dave’s front porch and the sound you produced after you crushed the can with your bare hands made me storm out the front door hoping to catch a glimpse of that massive bull moose.”
Charlie throws her head back and barks out a loud laugh before she wipes at the corner of her eye and says, “You know, this may come as a surprise, because the name of this town suggests otherwise, but we don’t actually have moose on the peninsula.”
I flick a dismissive hand in the air, all but tapping my foot to let her know I’m not letting the question go.
“I’m thirty-three,” she finally supplies. “Why do you ask?”
I take a minute to think about how to best approach the subject, before I settle on, “Just seems odd that a woman your age would move to a town this size. I haven’t met a lot of the locals, but I’m assuming the dating pool is rather shallow. You don’t want a family someday? Not hearing that biological clock ticking just yet?”
An unknown emotion flits over her features. It comes and goes so fast, I almost miss it. But I was trained to read people, and the way she tensed at the mention of kids tells me there’s a story there.
“It takes a partner to start a family, and I’m not interested in one right now. I’ve been happier on my own these past four months than I was during my entire last relationship. I’m not really lookingto tie myself to the next guy who makes it his sole mission to make my life miserable.”
I blow out a low whistle. “Yikes. Someone really did a number on you, huh? I feel sorry for the poor sap who ends up falling for you. He’s going to spend the next decade attempting to repair whatever damage your douche of an ex has caused.”
“Which is exactly why I’ve sworn off men completely,” she states, propping her hands on her hips and pinning me with a defiant look. “I don’t need anyone to fix me. There’s nothing wrong with me, and there never was. Now, if you asked mydouche of an ex, I’m sure he’d disagree, since I never seemed to be able to do anything right. I’ve spent years walking on eggshells in my own damn home, in an effort not to do or say anything that might upset him. Always putting his wants and needs ahead of my own. Never again. I’d rather be alone for the rest of my life than put up with another insecure man-child expecting me to stroke his fragile ego every second of the day, while never offering a single thing in return. Let’s just say I developed a whole new appreciation for the crazy cat ladies of the world.”
I study her for several heartbeats before I decide it’s too early in the day to pry open whatever can of worms she’s just cracked with her passionate little rant. But there’s one more thing I find myself curious about.
“So what do you do when…you know?” I ask, lifting my eyebrows and waiting for her to grasp my meaning. The corner of her lip twitches, but she feigns ignorance.
“If you want an answer to that question, you’re going to have to spell it out for me, tough guy.”
“You don’t miss fucking?” I ask straight up and take immense satisfaction in the way her skin once again flushes so prettily. I have to hand it to her, though. She recovers quickly.
